Consumers Unwilling to Pay for Online Add-Ons

NEW YORK -- More than two-thirds of U.S. consumers are against paying for services on the Internet, including enhanced e-mail, instant messaging or file-sharing, according to a new report from Jupiter Media Metrix.

Only 12 percent of all online adults would shell out cash for enhanced e-mail, eight percent for access to recruitment and job sites and six percent for enhanced instant-messaging and file-sharing capabilities, the study indicates.

"Companies should bundle online services and price them at less than $30 per year," suggested David Card, Jupiter Research vice president and senior analyst. "When transitioning from free to fee, service aggregators must solicit early consumer feedback and promote packages aggressively with e-mail."

NEW YORK -- More than two-thirds of U.S. consumers are against paying for services on the Internet, including enhanced e-mail, instant messaging or file-sharing, according to a new report from Jupiter Media Metrix.

Only 12 percent of all online adults would shell out cash for enhanced e-mail, eight percent for access to recruitment and job sites and six percent for enhanced instant-messaging and file-sharing capabilities, the study indicates.

"Companies should bundle online services and price them at less than $30 per year," suggested David Card, Jupiter Research vice president and senior analyst. "When transitioning from free to fee, service aggregators must solicit early consumer feedback and promote packages aggressively with e-mail."